Why is indoor exercise important for dogs?
Our founder Nathan explains the difference between indoor exercise and outdoor exercise and why it is so important for the health and wellbeing of your pet.
We know dogs need regular exercise, and as dog owners you maybe worried that your dogs aren’t getting enough exercise with the current restrictions on our movements.
Did you know that 20 minutes indoor exercise can be just as good for a dog as 60 minutes outdoor exercise? This is because mental stimulation is just as important as physical stimulation. Indoor exercise can help engage your dogs’ brain, leaving them tired/chilled and fulfilled.
Studies like this one have also confirmed this.
Mental stimulation for your dog
Brain exercises and games are the best form of mental stimulation that you can give your dogs. If your dog does not like going out in the rain, or you can’t go out due to the current pandemic restrictions, now is the time for you to engage your dogs’ brain while staying safe indoors. Brain games have become very popular in the UK over the last few years, and they can
leave your dog feeling enriched, which improves their overall wellbeing.
There are many benefits of playing brain games with your dogs. The games get the brain working and encourage them to use their memory and to problem solve. This gives them robust mental stimulation, and it is important as our dogs learn through play.
These are some examples of brain games:
Magic Pots
Puzzle Play
Snuffle Mats
Cardboard Chaos
Bubbles Play (Bubbles are not just for children;
dogs love them too! You can even get chicken and meat flavoured bubbles)
Mealtimes
You can also try an exercise with your dogs around mealtimes. There are no set rules that a dog should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Also, dogs should not expect to be fed at these set times, so it is important to mix it up a bit. Why not try ‘Ditching the Bowl’? If you are worried about things getting messy, then this probably is not for you but who says a dog should be fed from a bowl? If you are a rebel a bit like me, then get rid of the bowl and ask your dogs to work for their meals. Spread their meal allowance out over the course of the day, make it fun and use their meal allowance to help mentally stimulate and enrich your dog’s daily life. Grab a Kong, or a Lickimat and use these items to distribute for your dog’s meals. Believe you me, your dog will thank you for it.
Dogs just want more time with you
Dogs very much live in the present moment, so they will not be mad at you if a daily walk is missed. They just crave that love, time and attention given to them, and unlike cats they depend on social interaction with us and human connection. Do not be too hard on yourself if you cannot get them outside for a walk but do engage in some indoor brain games with them instead. After all, a dog really is a man/woman’s best friend…
How are you keeping your dog exercised right now?
Thanks for reading my first blog, I hope you enjoyed reading it and that you will have some fun with your furry friends. Please let me know how you and your dogs are coping with lockdown. I look forward to hearing all your stories!
Until next time, with Love, Hugs and Woofs. Nathan (Founder and Managing Director at Nathan’s Paw Trails Ltd) x